type: timeline_event
The Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section—created after Watergate to prosecute public corruption—was effectively dismantled in February 2025 following a mass revolt over political interference in the Eric Adams corruption case. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the section reduced from 36 career lawyers to approximately two, with its authority to review potential cases suspended and its power to file new cases stripped. The crisis began when Bove ordered prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, arguing the case interfered with Adams' ability to help the administration's mass deportation efforts.
Seven prosecutors resigned over 36 hours rather than comply with Bove's order. Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon refused to dismiss the case, stating she saw no "good-faith basis" and was "confident" Adams had committed the crimes. After Sassoon's February 13 resignation, Bove moved the case to the Public Integrity Section in Washington. John Keller, the section's acting head, refused and resigned, followed immediately by Kevin Driscoll, acting head of the Criminal Division. When Bove requested "three more prosecutors from the office" to find someone who would file the dismissal, all three "resigned on the spot" after attempting to talk Bove out of it.
On February 14, Bove issued an ultimatum to "nearly 20 lawyers" on a video call: choose someone to carry out the dismissal or be fired. After discussing mass resignation, the lawyers coalesced around having one person—Edward Sullivan, a senior litigation counsel—sign the filing to protect his colleagues. Sassoon stated she attended a January 31 meeting where Adams' attorneys "repeatedly urged what amounted to a quid pro quo, indicating that Adams would be in a position to assist with the Department's enforcement priorities only if the indictment were dismissed."
Federal Judge Dale Ho ultimately dismissed Adams' indictment with prejudice on April 2, 2025, contrary to DOJ's request for dismissal without prejudice. Ho wrote that dismissing without prejudice "would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration," and that "everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions." The gutting of the Public Integrity Section eliminated the federal government's primary capability to prosecute public corruption, marking the end of a 50-year post-Watergate policy of keeping DOJ independent from White House political direction in criminal investigations.